In this species the mantle (body) feels like sandpaper because it is covered with many, tiny, spicule-bearing protrusions. these can even extend onto the covers of the gills and “anntenae” (rhinopores). The background colour is variable, from pale cream brown, dull reddish brown to ashen grey and rarely dark plum red. It has dark splotches on the body although these can be hard to see in dark individuals.

It is commonest intertidally.

Predator on seasquirts and sponges.

It has a bright red egg spiral.

Pers. Comm. R. Willan
Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz all except dark brown animal credit, Jean McKinnon.